Title
(CONTINUED FROM AUG. 30, 2017) - Contract with Ground Control Systems, Inc. for Phoenix Fire Department Mobile Satellite Internet Service for National Emergency Deployments (Ordinance S-43864)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with Ground Control Systems, Inc. for annual hosting of Phoenix's mobile satellite internet service that allows Phoenix to be deployable through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Authorization is also requested for the City Controller to disburse funds.
Report
Summary
FEMA was established in 1991 to respond to national disasters. In 1992, FEMA selected the Phoenix Fire Department to participate as one of the seven initial task force response teams by establishing Arizona Task Force One (AZ-TF1). The City of Phoenix Fire Department is the sponsoring agency for AZ-TF1, one of 28 FEMA National Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) Response System task forces. AZ-TF1 has rapidly deployed skilled personnel and state-of-the-art equipment to sites of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and building collapses - such as Oklahoma City, 9/11, Hurricanes Rita, Katrina, Ike and Gustav. In addition to search and rescue, task force members provide immediate medical treatment to survivors, Hazardous Materials (HazMat) monitoring, and stabilization capabilities. Each US&R task force is deployable 24 hours a day/seven days per week, and is required to maintain a condition of continued preparedness and operational readiness, which includes mobile internet satellite service for communications equipment.
Procurement Information
In accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10, normal competition was waived as the result of a Determination Memo, which stated that, per a Cooperative Agreement with FEMA, the Fire Department agrees to maintain standardized equipment (determined by FEMA). The satellite internet equipment and associated annual service agreement, hosted by Ground Control Systems, Inc., is included on the FEMA cache list. Ground Control Systems, Inc. is the listed equipment and service provider, and no substitutions are permitted. Ground Control Systems is the manufacturer of the mobile satellite internet system, the warranty and 24/7 technical support utilized by the FEMA task forces. All 28 of the FEMA task forces are required to purchase the satellite system(s) specified in the cache list, and maintain the uninterrupted associated service. The equipment and associated service is a Federal requirement; the Fire Department would be in non-compliance with the FEMA US&R cooperative agreement if the satellite is de-activated.
Contract Term
This request is to contract with Ground Control Systems, Inc. for a maximum of five years, beginning on or about Nov. 1, 2017 and ending on or about Oct. 30, 2022.
Financial Impact
The aggregate five-year cost shall not exceed $40,000. Funds for this service are included in the Fire Department's operating budget.
Location
The location is citywide; however, the mobile satellite internet service could be deployed nationally.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr., and the Fire Department.